BATTLE-hardened UK soldiers are putting bravely won skills honed on the Afghan frontline to help save elephants and rhinos from being wiped out. Soldiers who fought the Taliban are heading for Africa to pass on their battleground experience to park rangers protecting endangered wildlife from poachers.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson met the military team at the West Midlands Safari Park (Image: NC)

Although British troops will not be involved in operational activities against the criminal gangs, they will teach counter insurgency techniques to bring poachers to justice.

For the first time, British Army know-how is being provided to save black rhinos, a species down to fewer than 6,000 individuals after being hunted for precious horn worth £45,000 a kilo on the black market.

The specialist team of 24 troops, drawn from a variety of British Army units, is heading for Malawi next month. Ministry of Defence officials say they will spend weeks “working alongside park rangers passing on expertise in areas such as tracking and counter insurgency tactics built up in previous operational tours in countries, including Afghanistan”.

Military teams have already been working in West Africa over the past year, helping rangers in Gabon to improve tracking skills so they can cover larger distances to hunt down poaching gangs.

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Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson met members of the military team this week at the West Midlands Safari Park while they were being briefed by its zoological experts on conservation efforts.

“Our Armed Forces are a force for good around the world and are at the forefront of protecting the world’s most endangered species from criminal gangs,” he said.

“This evil trade is worth £17 billion and poses an existential threat to the planet’s most majestic mammals – it is our duty to preserve them for future generations.

“Britain is leading the way in putting an end to barbaric illegal wildlife poaching, and I’m proud of the immense contribution our Armed Forces are making in stopping criminals profiteering from the slaughter of rhinos and elephants.”

British Army boots on the ground is vital for helping African rangers saving endangered animals (Image: NC)

We’re enthusiastic about this mission because it represents a real opportunity to pass on our expertise

Major James Cowen

British military efforts follow on from last week’s publication of a bill that will enforce one of the planet’s toughest crackdowns on ivory.

Trade in so-called “white gold” and which claims the lives of more than 20,000 elephants a year will be all but banned, with the threat of up to five years’ jail.

For the officer leading the deployment to Malawi, Major James Cowen, having British Army boots on the ground is vital for helping African rangers in the field saving endangered animals.

He said: “We’re enthusiastic about this mission because it represents a real opportunity to pass on our expertise and build partnerships with counterparts who are working night and day to help protect these animals. It shows that the British Army is flexible and committed to an international outlook.”